Synchronized power transmitter



Nov. 3, 1953 M. GEYER SYNCHRONIZED POWER TRANSMITTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 15, 1952 suivi! x E mw. @f M mM D m m M y www Nov. 3, 1953 H. M. GEYER SY-NCHRONIZED POWER TRANSMITTER A2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarCh 13, 1952 m 16 M. m L m` sv i 0 kgs@ m l TTE/YEYS Patented Nov. 3, 1 953 UNITED :sr-args ,poration of Delaware Application March v13, 1952; Serial No.` 27 6,427

This -invention relates :to :control mechanism for :fluid vpressure 'operated .xp'ower .transmission devices.

It 4is-"arnong the objects of theipresent'i' invention to provide control mechanism 4fora'plurality ofuiuidI pressure'operated:powertransmissi'on devices or ',actuators, the; control'me'chanism :connecting adjacent actuators, synchronizing their operation fso that `if lone :actuator ris overloaded and the' other underloaded, thelattr @will assist the overloaded actuator in .'pei'forlnin'g its IWork.

AFurtherolijectsfand advantages ofzthe presenty invent-ionwill-befappa-rentvfrornrthe 'following description,referencebing'hadftothe.accompanyingi drawingswhereinza preferred embodimentiof the present'inventionis clearlyshown.

.In-.the drawings:

Fig. '1f is a VieW,:partly-'in bokeniawayiperspective `-and. vpartly diagrammatic, :illustrating *two identical actua-corsi equippedwith the:.presentnvention.

iig.. :2 is ra fragmentary,V sectional yView' at Asub'- stantially full size scale 'showingiia portion-ofthe end -housing of an rac'ztuator "and the f-nieans Tor connecting it to -a si-rifilar no1-'tion lof. :a f'second actuator The actuator disclosed the drawings cone sists of a i cylinder in `which Fa pi-ston 'is reciprocated by :having uid lpressure introduced :into the cylinder -on'onefs'id'e ortheotherof tliepiston therein. Thepiston'has: a rod extendingfthrou'gh a-closure memberat one endofthefcylindergsaid rod '-being attachable to lany rsuitableyload for moving it. Agscrew shaft, rotatably mounte'diin theihead member at the otherfend ofthe cylinder, and immovable longtudinally of :thezcylinden is connected to the piston -so .tliairreciprocaton of the pistonfrotatesthe-scrw Shaft.

In one installation, the :actuators fas fshown -iny Fig. 1, are vsecured to :anrim-movablefoart ofllan airplane, ithe vpiston rods rf 'saidractua-tors" being attached to separate brake"ilans'"pfvided on the Wings ofthe plane. FFo'r a-safel-landinfg of the plane equalizd 'braking' eiot #essential vand erate'd together and at TSulosta'ntially "the same angularity; nSometimes, thezplare :approaching ary-landing VWill .not come'invstraigli't but `at fan anglerreferred toy |as "coming .n'at' ayawl, which subjects-the brake iia'pslto unequalf-air pressures and thus one nap willi.talrezafgreaterfforcoto a`djust it-tha'nfthef'other. nfsuchfa case-theiuid pressure operated `actu'at'oi*s`,usefto move andadi just-said1 naps, mustbefsynchronized soltha't'both `2 naps :at a like L'angle vfor obtaining fequalized brakingfeffort.

'Referring' .-tofthe drawingstwo interconnected actuators L20 'and 2 I fare illustrated, eachfr'beirig identical fin- -construction i and therefore th'efonc shown :inf section vinfliig. 1 will be referred to for detail co'nstructional description. A cylinder :212 hasltvvo end covers .'23" and '24 4secured 'theretoin cover 12'3 has anexterision forming sa cylindrical cross-head '25, the f aids of rwhich is substantially ati right angles 'to "the axis' of the cylinder .22 and displaced therefrom.. -A .piston "26 is reciprocaE tive inthe-cylinder 22 andformstwo-work cham.- bers'2'l'and 23 inthecylinder. 'Piston26 has a tubular v'extension forming a hollow pistonlrod' 29 wliichfextends through workfchamber 282and anriopeningrinfthe endfcover 24 to rtheouts'ideof theactuato'r. An attachmentiblockBlisfse'cured to the outer end fof frod A219, providing "-forithre anchorlng'of fsaidfr'od tothe' movablepart tofbe adjusted orf moved, for instance, the 'brake "flap, 'Ifhe opening iin f end cover 24 in which rod "29' is slidablysupported,tis fittedwith: suitable "packing to A:seal 4against 'leakage at this point. initeriorly 'threaded Asleeve or 'hollov'vnut 3l :lis risecured totheiloistonV so ras vto 'be'rinovable'therewith'. This 4'linut threadedly receives rth'exscrew shaft 35. which :extends through thefnutan'dflinto the'hollowpston:rod'f29.

iThe endy of the sorewshaft351oppositeithatfend extendinginto .the piston rod hasfa `cylindrioally shapedrbe'arin'g block'B'l securely-atta'ched'thereto, said 'bearing block being rotatably .supported vinrthe -loalbbearingi313; which, in'turn,`is secured within-the end vfcover 23. To thisbearing block 31 thereiisrattachedra helical gear'f39 whichoperatively meshes With a cooperating 'helicalfgear 40. flrhefFig. 2"cle'arlyillustrates'these twohfelL cal gears-'the aires-of lwhich are at `right 'angles one 'to anotherrand'veitically displaced. Gear-I0 isfsupportedvuponva barrel-shaped hub 4I which. is rotatably: :.carriedin v'ball `vloca'rings' 42 @andn mounted' within thecross head piortionlzofftlie end cover 23r-` `*The .'barrel-shaped hub "M, :supporting the :helical Tgear 4l), has recessedends Il and '45 "interiorlysplined to' receive `the sp'lined head rlili: off'afrod'or driveshaft @9. `Whereon1y two f actuators are to bey connected, as "shown Y in Fig. il, the one-fslllned end portion 'of =the hub il in' Fig. 2, 'ther ende 4 4 is -1 covered v'by ianyfsuitale endioap 150 iscrevved 2into `the interoi'ly threaded end 'of -theV cross 1vhead-f2 5. MThe opposite `Y end "df the 'cros'sf'head' portion? 5',- alsol interiorly threaded, receives an-"attachme'nt-'cap 5l which engage'sithe collar 52 within the cross-head to hold the adjacent ball bearing 43 in position. Where the opposite end of the cross-head is not used for connection to another actuator, the cap 50 maintains a similar abutment collar 53 in position within the cross-head 25 to hold the ball bearing 42 in proper position.

The attachment Acap 5| has a tubular extension the outer end of which is exteriorly threaded to receive a clamping nut 55 for securely fastening a conduit or shroud 56 to the tubular extension 5c of the attachment member` 5|. The engagement of the conduit 56 with the end of the tubular extension 54 under the effect of the clamping nut 55 is of such a character that iiuid leaks in response to the iluid pressure within the conduit are substantially prevented at the juncture. The drive shaft 49 with its splined head i8 at one end drivingly engages the interior splined portion of the end 45 of the gear supporting hub 5| and extends through the tubular extension 54 of the attachment member 5| and through the conduit 56, and has a splined head similar to head 45 operatively secured to a gear supporting hub in actuator 2| corresponding to the hub 4| and its portion 45 in the actuator 2E?. The conduit or shroud 56 has its one end attached to a T-shaped coupling S9 in a manner similar to the attachment of the conduit 55 to the tubular extension 54 of the attachment cap 5|. A conduit 6|, similar to conduit 55, has its one end secured to the T-shaped coupling 60, the other end of said conduit 5| being secured to the actuator 2| in a manner similar to the attachment of conduit 56 to the attachment member 5| of actuator 20. As has previously been mentioned, the rod or shaft 49 extends through conduit 56, T-shaped coupling 69 and the conduit 5 the one end of this rod being drivingly secured to the gear supporting hub 4| for gear lll in actuator 20, the other end of this rod 43 being similarly, drivingly connected to the members in actuator 2| comparable to parts 4| and 4G of the actuator 20, which members are housed within cross-head portion |25 of the end cover |23 of actuator 2|. From the aforegoing, it may be seen that the screw shafts of both actuators are operatively connected one to the other through gearings 39 and 4|) in the actuator 2D, gear supporting hub 4| in said actuator 20, rod 45 and gears in the actuator 2| similar to gears 39 and 49 in actuator 20 as well as a gear supporting hub in actuator 2| similar to member in the actuator 20.

In the preferred form of construction, as illustrated in Fig. 1,'the main arm of the T-shaped coupling |59 is communicatingly attached to a conduit 1|! which leads to the casing 1| of a selectively operative control valve 12. Both working chambers 29 of the respective actuators 2D and 2| are in communication with each other through a conduit 15 which has a branch pipe 15 leading therefrom into the interior of the casing 1| of the valve 12. Within casing 1| there is provided a slide valve consisting of spaced head portions 11 and 18 tied together in proper spaced relation by an intermediate web 19 and having an operating rod 80 attached thereto which slidably extends through one end of the casing 1| for purposes of reciprocating the valve whose head portions 11 and 18 slidably fit within the casing. The one end of casing 1| has a conduit 3| leading therefrom and into a fluid supply tank 32. A similar conduit 82 connects the opposite end of casing 1| with said supply tank.

Intermediate the ends of the casing 1|, a pipe 83 leads from the interior of the casing to a pump 85, operation of which is adapted to drav.T fluid from the tank 92 through pipe S5 and deliver it through pipe 83 into the interior of the valve casing 1|. When the valve is in the position as shown in Fig. l, fluid pressure delivered by the pump 35 into the interior of the casing will be directed through the pipe 16 and its communicating conduit 15 to the working chambers 23 of the respective actuators 2i? and 2|. For purpose of this description, it may be stated that the working chamber 2S of the actuator 2| is provided within the end cover member |24 of said actuator. In this valve position, the end of the valve chamber 1| communicating with the pipe 19 is in communication with the supply tank 92 so that it may drain thereinto. Thus any fluid within the corresponding chambers 21 of the two actuators, on the side of the pistons 25 opposite chamber 28, will be in communication with each other through the end cover members 23 and |23 and the connecting conduits 55, 6|, T-coupling 69, to which both conduits are secured, and the pipe 10.

When the valve is moved by the manually operable rod B0 to its opposite position, iiuid pressure from the pump 85 will be delivered through pipe 10 and conduits 56 and 5| to the work chambers 21 of the two actuators, while the work chambers 28 of said actuators will be connected through pipes 15 and 16, valve casing 1| and conduit 82 with the supply tank 92, permitting said work chambers to discharge their uid into the supply tank 92 as the pistons 26 are reciprocated to force the uid from chambers 23..

The piston rod |29 of the actuator 2| has an attachment block |30 corresponding to attachment block 3!) of the actuator 2G, thereby providing means for attaching the actuator 2| to any suitable movable member, as, for instance, a brake 'iiap (not shown) similar to one to which actuator 20 is connected.

When the valve 12 is in the position as shown in Fig. l, and pressure is delivered to the corresponding work chambers 28 of the two actuators 20 and 2|, the two corresponding pistons 26 of said actuators will be reciprocated toward the end closure members 23 and |23 of said actuators, this reciprocation of the pistons, due to their operative connection with the respective piston rods 35, turning said rods 35, thereby turning the bearing blocks 31 and corresponding helical gears 39. Now these two gears are connected together by helical gears 4|] and the shaft 49 so that they cannot be rotated independently but must be rotated in unison. 1f, for instance, this reciprocation of piston 25 in actuator 29 causes the shaft 5| to be rotated clockwise, then the same directional reciprocation of the coinciding piston in actuator 2| will tend to rotate said shaft 49 in a similar direction through the gearing in said actuator 2|. If, for any reason, one actuator is required to move a greater load than the other, the lesser loaded actuator will assist the heavier loaded actuator. 'For instance, if the brake iiap operatively adjusted by actuator 2|) is exposed to greater resisting air currents, then thebrake flap, being moved by the actuator 2|, due to this interconnection of the actuators, both hydraulically and mechanically, actuator 2| hav` ing the lighter load, will assist the actuator 23,

the extra load on said actuator 2|) thus is compensated for by the synchronizing connection between the heavier loaded actuator 25 and the ammessi tion with 'the 'respective chan'lbers 21 through spaces fand' crevices provided nby 'the "bearings'ii and'lasf andl any working parts therebetween.

' Where-it* isd desiredto use theconduitsor` pipes- 56 and 6| merely as stifeningcasingsor-shrouds betWeenthe interconnected actuators 20 'and 2| and their'connecting rod 49, pipe l0 may have diverging branch 'gportions I 5s and 'I 51| ..as-shown in dash linesinjig, 1, .which lbranches lead directly intothe end closure members`23 and |23 respectively, to provide communication between the corresponding work-chambers 21 in said-end closuremembers. Ihe-preferredform, however, which uses the casing or shroud not only as a cover for the synchronizing drive shaft 49 but as a fluid conductor also, provides a more suitable and economical construction. Any suitable type of leak-proof connecting means may be provided between the conduit portions 56 and 6I and the T-shaped coupling 60 as well as the corresponding connections with the two actuators. If a series of actuators, more than two, are to be interconnected, then the cover caps 50 may be removed from them whereby the splined end of the gear supporting hubs 4| are exposed and adapted to receive the splined head portion 48 ofother connecting rods 49 selected to be used. In each instance, the conduits 56 and lwould be connected to the common conduit leading to the valve 12 and conduits 15 from the various actuators would be connected to the pipe 16.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination with a plurality of hydraulically operated actuators each comprising a cylinder having a piston movable in either direction by duid pressure in said cylinder; a screw shaft rotatably supported within the cylinder and immovable longitudinally thereof, said shaft threadedly engaging the piston so as to be rotated thereby in response to reciprocation thereof; gearing operatively connected with the screw shaft; mechanical power transmitting means operatively connecting together the gearing of all of theactuators for synchronizing their operation; a source of fluid pressure; and means selectively operative for connecting the corresponding portions of all of the cylinders, on one side of their respective pistons or the other, with said pressure source.

2. In combination with a plurality of hydraulically operated actuators each comprising a cylinder having a piston movable in either direction by the introduction of uid pressure into said cylinder; rotatable means supported within the cylinder so as to be immovable longitudinally therein, said means being connected to the piston so as to be rotated thereby in response to piston reciprocation; rigid torque transmitting means connecting the rotatable means of adjacent actuators for synchronizing them; and power transmitting means attached to the piston and extending to the outside of the cylinder.

- c omniunicationbetween Icorresponding- Hworlr 6T combination with "a g-plurahtyofi-hydraulically-operatedactuators,-each'comprisinga cyl.- inderfhaving-@end closure imembers. :and a piston being reciprocativ-e in response tolfluidpressurelin one-'or the otheri chamberagshaft rotatably supported-withinth-e cylinder-andrimmovable longitudi-nally thereof, -sa`id shaft 1 being lmeclmnically connected: to the piston as to rotate in I response#tereciproeation-of thepiston; --a conduit connecting Vadjacent actuators yand providing chambers'thereof av power transmitting element within -said conduit, said element operatively :connecting the shafts of adjacent, actuators for synchronizing their operation; `a source `of ,duid pressure; and 4controlled* means connecting ,said source 'of lfluid pressure .to 'the conduit and to thefrespectiveiwork chambers- 05E-the actuators -not connected with'the .n zon'duit,` said controlled means 'directing `fluidpressure to lcorrespo:niirrg- Work chambers of all; .actuatorswhils `the other Corresponding wort; chambers.. are connected t0, drain.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the closure member at one end of each actuator cylinder provides a housing rotatably supporting a gear operatively engaging the shaft in the cylinder; a pipe attached to and connecting the said closure housings of adjacent actuators and providing communication between corresponding work chambers of said actuator cylinders; a source of fluid and means for delivering said fluid under pressure; a control valve in communication with both the source of fluid and said pressure delivery means; and separate conduits respectively connecting the pipe and the cylinder work chambers of the actuators not in communication with said pipe with the control valve which is operative to connect either one of said conduits with the fluid source while the other conduit is connected to the uid pressure delivery means.

5. In combination with a plurality of hydraulically operated actuators each having a member adapted to be reciprocated by the application of fluid pressure against one side or the other of said member for extending or retracting the actuator; a rotatable but longitudinally immovable element operatively connected to said member; a tubular sheath attached to adjacent actuators for tying them together; a power transmitting shaft in said sheath, the ends of the shaft being operatively connected to the rotatable elements of the actuators tied together by said sheath; a source of hydraulic pressure; and conduits connecting the pressure source with the actuators on both sides their respective reciprocative members, the sheath forming one part of the pressure conducting conduits leading to the corresponding sides of the reciprocative members of all actuators.

6. In combination with a plurality of actuators each comprising a cylinder and a lineally movable piston disposed in said cylinder capable of fluid pressure actuation in either direction, a member rotatably supported within the cylinder and operatively connected to the piston such that said member will rotate in response to linear movement of said piston, and means including a rotatable element interconnecting the rotatable members of adjacent actuators for effecting synchronous operation thereof.

'7. In combination with a plurality of actuators each comprising a cylinder and a lineally movable piston disposed in said cylinder capable of uid pressure actuation in either direction, a member rotatably supported within the cylinder and operatively connected to the piston, the operative connection between said piston and. member including an element operatively connected with said piston so as to move lineally therewith, said element having operative engagement with said rotatable member such that relative rotation will occur between said element and member upon linear movement of :said piston, and means including a rotatable shaft interconnecting the rotatable members of :adjacent actuators for effecting synchronous operation thereof.

8. A multiple actuator system including in combination, a plurality of linear actuators each adapted for connection at one end to a relatively xed support and at the other end to a relatively movable load device, each actuator including a cylinder having disposed therein a lineally movable piston capable of fluid pressure actuation in either direction, and driving mechanism interconnecting the actuator pistons constructed and arranged to effect synchronous operation of said actuators, said driving mechanism including a rotatable member in each cylinder and operatively connected to the piston in each cylinder such that said member will rotate in response to linear movement of said piston, and torque transmitting means operatively interconnecting the rotatable members of said actuators.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein the operative connection between said piston and said rotatable member includes an element secured to said piston so as to move lineally therewith, said element having threaded engagement with said member.

HOWARD M` GEYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,469,689 Prius Oct. 2, 1923 2,487,402 Watson Nov. 8, 1949 

